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UN says Darfur deteriorating

SUDAN — The UN humanitarian chief said a "dramatic deterioration" of the situation in Sudan's Darfur region has left 4 million people in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

Jan Egeland warned Wednesday that the country could face a major humanitarian disaster within weeks unless there was a true cease-fire and a renewed effort to reach a lasting peace.

Egeland said the situation in Darfur is "closer to the abyss than I have witnessed since my first visit in 2004."

The number of people in need of aid increased to 2 million in 2005, 3 million last spring, "and now there are 4 million in desperate need of humanitarian assistance--and that in a climate of massive rearmament," he said.

Violence has increased since the government and one rebel group signed a truce in May.